Stop the rumors; we have the final word. Kryptonite is closed.
May 26th, 2015, brought a deluge of deadly water to the Houston area, devastating many as homes, businesses, and cars were submerged. Local bayou levels rose over 40 feet, including the Buffalo Bayou that runs alongside Houston’s favorite underground club, Kryptonite, which was destroyed beyond feasible repair. To many club-goers, this was a home away from home, and in their disbelief, rumors began circulating as to the fate of the property, with some claiming that Krypto would be reopened as early as October. The Department of Dance investigated these claims, and after sitting down with Holliday (the general manager of Kryptonite), this report was determined to be false.
Some seemingly well-meaning individuals began fundraising in what they claimed to be an effort to bring back Kryptonite. In reality, the owners are unaware of any such efforts and the proceeds have not benefitted them in any way. Not only do they have no intention of reopening the venue, they do not plan to accept any contributions. “I have nothing to do with such a thing, was unaware anything like that was going on, and as heartwarming as that is, we couldn’t take that money,” commented Holliday. The venue was completely destroyed in the flood, as was all of the equipment within. “In hindsight we probably should have taken measures to salvage major electronics after what happened in San Marcos the days previous, but in our minds, the most serious threat to that space, from an environmental standpoint, was a hurricane or a tropical storm.” The reality of the situation is that there is simply too much damage for there to be a ‘new’ Kryptonite. “It’s easy to sit here and say there are plans to reopen the space and continue to do what we do best because that was our home as well. Of course I lay in bed at night and think of the possibilities. It will never be Kryptonite again, Kryptonite is gone forever; that I do know.”
Kryptonite opened in early August of 2010. Holliday became General Manager that September after there was a shakeup in ownership and they wanted to go a different direction with the venue and the way it was being managed. “It’s hard to say what my expectations were with such an iconic venue. I’d been a customer when it was Rehab and I was very well aware of the history of the building, going back even to the times of prohibition, years before it was known as a nightclub. I was confident in my abilities, and specifically the abilities of the people who hired me, but still I knew that it was going to be tumultuous journey. As far as expectations being fulfilled, I don’t think anyone anticipated Krypto would become the cultural success that it did.”
Many Kryptonians were overwhelmed by a sense of loss when the venue closed. “All I can say about Kryptonite is the fact I’ve been going there for 4 years and it became my second home and now I feel practically homeless,” said former Kryptonite regular, Rebecca “Kat”. “I never had friends in school. Krypto was the first place I ever felt truly accepted. I never even had a sense of rhythm until I went to Krypto… Krypto saved my life…it’s sad, but true.” Chris “Kroger” Rogers, a DJ that performed frequently at the venue, had similar sentiments. “I was picked on a lot in school and Krypto was the only place where people didn’t judge me. I met my brothers/partners in crime, Dizzy and Buda, there, and tons of other people. Too many to mention. I remember my first night there, seeing Darth Fader throwing it down and that moment right there was when I knew I wanted to DJ. Over a year later, I got to spin there for the first time. At one point I was playing every Saturday in my home away from home. That place was magical and there will never be another place like it.”
So what’s next? Although the venue owners are open to the idea of a new concept, there is much standing in the way in terms of negotiation. The company has other entertainment ventures occupying their time and energy, and their main priority is taking care of the customers and employees at the businesses that are still in operation. So where should Kryptonians go now? “They’re a pretty resourceful bunch. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of our customers don’t start throwing their own parties to fill the gap,” Holliday surmised.
We all gained valuable memories, friends, and experiences in the iconic venue. Holliday had this to say for those experiencing a comparable sense of loss; “I know you’re in pain, but change isn’t something to be scared of or for to be angry about. Kryptonite was a building, the people who made it what it was (all of you) are still alive and well. The friendships and bonds you made, the memories created – these things cannot be taken from you.”
Meganne Money is The Department of Dance Copy Editor. She is also a freelance writer, music/event critic, dancer, and vocalist. Meganne has a passion for music and the EDM community, and delivers information in a creative and entertaining way.
